News

The Independent Climate Change E-mails Review report has been published. DOWNLOAD IT HERE

5 July 2010Publication date set for 13:00 on the 7 July

Publication date confirmed

The publication date for the Independent Climate Change E-mails Review report has been set for 13:00 on the 7 July.

16 April 2010Second tranche of submissions published

More submissions to the independent Climate Change Email Review have been published on the Review website.Sir Muir Russell, Chair of the Review, said:

"We will continue to publish submissions and evidence on the website, and we intend to publish all submissions, evidence and correspondence by the end of the Review.

"The Review team has read and noted all submissions, and is currently working towards its conclusions. We do not therefore intend to accept any further submissions to the Review from this point."

1 April 2010Review submissions published

The independent Climate Change Email Review has begun to publish the submissions it has received on its website.

Sir Muir Russell said:"At the outset of this review we made clear our intention to publish all submissions, correspondence and evidence received, as part of a wider commitment to operate as openly and transparently as possible.

This is just the first cohort of submissions - we will continue to upload others onto the website as soon as is practicable.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made a submission for their contribution. The Review team has read and noted all submissions.

We are progressing with our investigation of issues relevant to our remit and still expect to publish preliminary conclusions in the spring."

15 February 2010Allegations of bias against Review member rejected

On Friday February 12, allegations were raised that Professor Geoffrey Boulton's background and views affected his ability to be a member of the Review. These have been rejected by Sir Muir Russell and by Professor Boulton.

Professor Boulton said:

"At the Review press conference (on February 11), I pointed out that I had worked full-time in the School of Environmental Sciences at UEA from its inception in 1968 to 1980, and that I had a part-time appointment between 1980 and 1986, whilst working primarily in the University of Amsterdam. Since then, I have had no professional contact with the University of East Anglia or the Climatic Research Unit.

"I was equally clear that although my research is not in the field of modern or recent climate change, I am familiar with its scientific basis and uncertainties surrounding it.

"I declared my current view of the balance of evidence: that the earth is warming and that human activity is implicated. These remain the views of the vast majority of scientists who research on climate change in its different aspects. They are based on extensive work worldwide, not that of a single institution.

As a sceptical scientist, I am prepared to change those views if the evidence merits it. They certainly do not prevent me from being heavily biased against poor scientific practice, wherever it arises."

Sir Muir Russell said:

"This Review must determine if there is evidence of poor scientific practice, as well as investigate allegations around the manipulation and suppression of data.

"As others have pointed out, it would be impossible to find somebody with the qualifications and experience we need who has not formed an opinion on climate change.

"I am completely confident that each member of the Review team has the integrity, the expertise, and the experience to complete our work impartially."

12 February 2010Dr Philip Campbell withdraws from the Review

Dr Philip Campbell withdraws from the Review (11 Feb 2009)br /> Sir Muir Russell has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Dr Philip Campbell, Editor of Chief of Nature, after a recording of an interview given by Dr Campbell to China Radio International (CRI) in December 2009 was alleged to raise doubts over his impartiality.

Dr Campbell said: "I made the remarks in good faith on the basis of media reports of the leaks. As I have made clear subsequently, I support the need for a full review of the facts behind the leaked e-mails. There must be nothing that calls into question the ability of the independent Review to complete this task, and therefore I have decided to withdraw from the team."

Sir Muir said: I have spoken to Philip Campbell, and I understand why he has withdrawn. I regret the loss of his expertise, but I respect his decision."

The independent Climate Change Email Review today announced its membership, published its workplan and issued a call for submissions from interested parties. It also invited comments on the issues which it has identified for investigation.

Sir Muir Russell, chair of the review, made the announcement with other members at the Science Media Centre in London.

Other members of the team are: Professor Peter Clarke, Professor Geoffrey Boulton, Dr Philip Campbell, Professor Jim Norton, and David Eyton.

Sir Muir explained that the Review team had finished a preliminary appraisal of the evidence, and would now look at the issues in detail, as well as review submissions.

He said:“The Review will investigate allegations arising from the series of hacked emails from the Climatic Research Unit. We will investigate whether there is evidence of poor scientific practice and data management which could call CRU research into question. The Review is about scientific rigour and honesty, freedom of information procedures and data handling."

“The Review team has an exceptional range of scientific backgrounds and expertise, designed to ensure we can cover all the issues involved."

"However, it is not our role to re-appraise the CRU's scientific conclusions. Those will be examined by the Royal Society review announced today."

"We aim to reach preliminary conclusions during the Spring."

The deadline for submissions to the Review is 1 March 2010.

3 December 2009Sir Muir Russell to head the Independent Review into the allegations against the Climatic Research Unit (CRU)

Sir Muir Russell to head the Independent Review into the allegations against the Climatic Research Unit (CRU)

To read the University of East Anglia’s full press release on the announcement of the Review click here.